Ceilidh band

Thistle & Thorn

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(5.0)Read all 10 reviews
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About Thistle & Thorn

Kent's favourite Ceilidh band. We will keep your guests dancing with a night of pure Ceilidh or a mix of Celtic and popular party tunes!
Ceilidh band
Canterbury
Public liability insurance of £10 million
Verified profile

Thistle & Thorn are a versatile and highly sought-after band based in Kent, UK, offering a dynamic blend of traditional Celtic ceilidh music and a wide range of popular party anthems to ensure a truly unforgettable event, perfect for both intimate gatherings and larger stage performances. For years, they have been delighting audiences across the region at weddings, birthdays, corporate functions, and various community gatherings, earning a reputation for their exceptional musicianship and their ability to keep the dance floor packed all night long. At the heart of Thistle & Thorn is their passion for traditional Scottish and Irish music, and they bring this to life with energetic performances of lively jigs, reels, and hornpipes. Their skilled musicianship captures the authentic spirit of Celtic tunes while maintaining a contemporary edge that appeals to all ages. Their experienced caller expertly guides participants through the steps of each ceilidh dance, making it fun and accessible for everyone, from seasoned dancers to complete novices. But Thistle & Thorn are more than just a ceilidh band. Recognizing that every event has its own unique flavour, they also boast an extensive repertoire of popular party songs spanning various genres and eras. From classic hits to modern favourites, they can seamlessly transition from a lively ceilidh set to a set of dance-floor fillers, ensuring that all your guests have the opportunity to let loose and enjoy themselves, regardless of their musical preferences. Whether you're looking for a full-on Celtic knees-up, a mix of ceilidh and contemporary hits, or a band that can cater to a diverse range of musical tastes throughout your event, Thistle & Thorn have you covered. Their adaptability and dedication to providing a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable experience make them the perfect choice for any celebration, big or small. Prepare for a night of fantastic music, infectious energy, and non-stop dancing with the incredible Thistle & Thorn!

Thistle & Thorn
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5 out of 5
10 verified reviews

Thistle & Thorn's Reviews

From customers:

TD
Thomas D
4 months ago, for a Birthday party in Maidstone
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Brilliant!

HC
Hannah C
6 months ago, for a Birthday party in Canterbury
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

My favourite Scottish Ceilidh I've ever been to. These guys played all the classics and then topped the night off with some party tunes to get us all dancing. Loved it

Read all 10 reviews
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Thistle & Thorn's Song list

Whiskey In The Jar (Thin Lizzy / The Dubliners)
The Wild Rover (The Dubliners)
The Irish Rover (The Dubliners)
Danny Boy
Dirty Old Town (The Pogues)
The Fields of Athenry
Seven Drunken Nights (The Dubliners)
I'll Tell Me Ma (The Dubliners)
Drunken Sailor
Galway Girl - Steve Earle
The Wellerman
Rattlin’ Bog
Wild Mountain Thyme
Gay Gordons
Scotland The Brave
Blarney Polka
The Kesh Jig
An Irish Party In 3rd Class
The Sick Note
Caledonia
Zombie (The Cranberries)
Molly Malone - The Dubliners
Linger (The Cranberries)
Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
Galway Girl (Ed Sheeran0
With or Without You (U2)
Will Ye Go, Lassy Go - The Clancy Brothers
Beautiful Day (U2)
Breathless (The Corrs)
C'est La Vie (B*Witched)
Fairytale of New York (The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl)
I'm Shipping Up To Boston (Dropkick Murphys)
When You Say Nothing At All - Ronan Keating
Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves
Auld Langs Syne
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers
Dignity - Deacon Blue
New Shoes - Paolo Nutini
The Dashing White Sergeant
John Legend - All of Me
Ben E. King - Stand by Me
The Beatles - Here Comes the Sun
Bruno Mars - Marry You
Shania Twain - You're Still the One
The Lumineers - Ho Hey
Mumford & Sons - I Will Wait
Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks
Vance Joy - Riptide
George Ezra - Budapest
Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
Keane - Somewhere Only We Know
The Killers - Mr. Brightside (For a more upbeat moment)
Florence + The Machine - You've Got the Love
Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man (Energetic for dancing)
ABBA - Dancing Queen
Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On
Al Green - Let's Stay Together
Otis Redding - (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay
Bill Withers - Lovely Day
Ben Harper - Forever
Paolo Nutini - Last Request
Amy Winehouse - Valerie
Duffy - Mercy
Michael Bublé - Everything
Josh Groban - You Raise Me Up
Alicia Keys - If I Ain't Got You
John Mayer - XO (Beyoncé cover)
Taylor Swift - Lover
Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour
Dan + Shay - Speechless
Luke Combs - Beautiful Crazy
Chris Stapleton - Tennessee Whiskey
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel
Ain't Nobody - Chaka Khan
Treasure - Bruno Mars
Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
American Boy - Estelle
Blinding Lights - The Weeknd
Teenage Dirtbag - Wheetus
Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston
Dancing Queen - ABBA
Sky Full of Stars - ColdPlay
Shut up and Dance - Walk the Moon
Signed Sealed Delivered - Stevie Wonder
Dancing Queen - ABBA
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Crazy in Love - Beyonce
Roses - Outkast
No Scrubs - TLC
Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting - Elton John
Let Me Entertain You - Robbie Williams
Kids - Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman
Zombie - The Cranberries
Virtual Insanity - Jamiroquai
Hey Jude - The Beatles
Angels - Robbie Williams
Mr Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra
Africa - Toto
Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty
Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars
Don't Stop Believing - Journey
September - Earth Wind and Fire
Get Lucky - Daft Punk
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye
Dancing in the Moonlight - Toploader
Dancing on the Ceiling - Lionel Richie
Livin' On A Prayer - Bon Jovi
Rolling in the Deep - Adele
Can't Stop the Feeling - Justin Timberlake
Walking on Sunshine - Katrina and The Waves
I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
Heaven is a Place on Earth - Belinda Carlisle
All Night Long - Lionel Richie
Never Too Much - Luthor Vandross
Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
We are the Champions - Queen
December 63' - Frankie Valley and the 4 Seasons
The way you make me feel - Michael Jackson
Beat It - Michael Jackson
Never Forget - Take That
I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor - Arctic Monkeys
She's So Lovely - Scouting for Girls
Song 2 - Blur
Parklife - Blur
Alright - Supergrass
Take on Me - Aha
Don't You Want Me Baby - Human League
Gold - Spandau Ballet
Blame it on the Boogie - Jackson 5
Maniac - Michael Sembello
Dance the Night - Dua Lipa
One More Time - Daft Punk
Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5
Move Your Feet - Junior Senior
Murder on The Dancefloor - Sophie Ellis Bextor
You've Got The Love - Florence and The Machine
Don't Start Now - Dua Lipa
Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis
Rather Be - Jess Glynn & Clean Bandit
I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing - Aerosmith
Dude Looks Like a Lady - Aerosmith
Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
Cheap Thrills - Sia
Smooth - Santana
Sunday Morning - Maroon 5
Make You Feel My Love - Adele (Bob Dylan)
Mercy - Duffy
9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
Black Magic- Little Mix
Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
American Boy - Estelle & Kanye West
Black Velvet - Alannah Myles
Dancing in The Dark - Bruce Springsteen
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
All Right Now - Free
Counting Stars - One Republic
With Or Without You - U2
Fallin - Alicia Keys
Empire State of Mind - Alicia Keys
Purple Rain - Prince
Car Wash - Rose Royce
She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5
When You're Gone - Bryan Adams & Mel C
Wannabe - Spice Girls
Disco 2000 - Pulp
Are You Gonna Go My Way - Lenny Kravitz
Little Lion Man - Mumford and Sons
Faith - George Michael
You Make My Dreams Come True - Hall and Oats
Baggy Trousers - Madness
The Best - Tina Turner
Proud Mary - Tina Turner

Thistle & Thorn's Prices

Last updated: 2025

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Up to 1 hour£1750
Up to 2 hours£2250
Up to 3 hours£2750
Packages
Wedding ceremony4 musicians
This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.
£1000
Drinks reception4 musicians
Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception
£1875
Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner4 musicians
- Music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served.
£2750

Add-ons

Acoustic Solo Set
+£500
DJ set
+£500
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Our fiddle player!

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Leeds Castle and many wedding venues!

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Craig Paton, Tom Orr

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

Leeds Castle. Just a wedding, but it was real fancy!

Can you perform covers?

Yes, no problem. We have a range of modern covers we're happy to perform in addition to the traditional Ceilidh music

Do you have different line-up options?

Absolutely, just ask! We often include additional piano, flute...

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

We always try our best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event just let us know

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Absolutely. This is a really popular request and we actually offer this service for free. If you'd like a DJ service via our PA after the final set until the venue closes, we provide this for an additional £400

How much time do you need to set up?

We usually set up about 1 to 1.5 hours before the performance time. As soon as our PA is set up we can provide a free playlist service to help set the atmosphere and get your guests ready for our live performance!

Do you provide a caller?

Yes we do! We have a fantastic caller as part of our Ceilidh band so just let us know whether you already have one, or don't need one, so we can adjust our line-up accordingly!

Can I pick the songs you play from the set list?

Our set lists are crafted from countless performances and learning what works best to ensure guests dance and have an amazing time. However, we're definitely happy to chat through and make sure we find what works for your event.

Is all of the equipment (e.g. PA) included in your quote?

Our PA and lighting system is included in your quote. We usually require a minimum of 4m by 3m space to perform

Can you learn song requests before the event?

If a song isn't included in our song list there may still be a chance we already know it. If there is a special song you'd like us to learn we are happy to do this for you. There is a fee of £30 for this service to take into account rehearsal times etc.
Musicianship
Genres:
Ceilidh, Folk, Traditional Irish folk, Traditional Scottish folk, Traditional English folk
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Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, New Year's Eve, Birthday party
See all event types